Brick veneer and art of applying the same



Dec. 17, 1935.

Filed Jan. 18

Patented Dec. 17, 1.935

UNITED STATES BRICK VENEER AND ART 0F APPLYING THE SAME Sam Z. Trachtenberg, Munhall, Pa.

Application January 18, 1934, Serial No. 707,195

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the art of brick veneer wall structures and the like, and more particularly to means for and the method of applying and attaching said veneer to form a simulated brick wall.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a method of assembling and applying a veneer wall of individual slabs or units without the necessity of previously erecting any spacing and securing means therefor over the surface being veneered; to provide each individual veneer slab with a clip or bracket to form a novel veneer unit, whereby said units are capable of selective individual application to a wall or building in any desired pattern or design; to provide a mechanical attaching clipv or bracket irictionally engaging the slabs; to provide said clip or bracket with means for gaging the mortar lines between slabs; to provide a veneer unit which may be produced and applied at a minimum cost; and to provide a veneer unit capable of use by the unskilled workman with ease and accuracy.

The invention may be more readily understood by a reference to the accompanying drawing,

' wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the method of assembling a brick veneer wall structure or the like in the manner of my invention;

Fig. 2, a view in elevation of the assembled brick veneer wall;

Fig. 3, an enlarged vertical section taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, an enlarged horizontal section taken u along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5, an enlarged perspective view of a preferred form of clip or bracket embodying my invention;

Fig. 6, a rear perspective View of a veneer unit showing the application of motar thereto; and

Figs. 7 and 8, views similar to Fig. 5 of modied forms of clips.

Referring to the drawing, 2 designates a wall or building surface to be covered by brick veneer of the usual and well known form. Generally, said veneer consists of individual thin rectangular ceramic or clay slabs 3 having longitudinal and transverse dimensions corresponding to the respective dimensions of the exposed surface of the usual building brick.

For the purpose of frictionally engaging and attaching the slabs 3 to the wall 2, I provide individual clips or brackets A, preferably formed of sheet metal, and provided with resilient means for application to and frictionally engaging the slabs. In the preferred practice of my invention,

' for such purpose, when the slab 3a is correctly I provide one such clip or bracket A initially applied in embracing relation to one end of each* slab 3, providing a novel veneer unit applicable in the manner hereinafter set forth.

In the form of Fig. 4, the clip or bracket A is 5 substantially channel-shaped and consists of a flat rectangular base or body portion 5 have resilient gripping anges struck up along opposite edges of said body portion. The anges are preferably converged inwardly a slight amount to l0 effect a resultant tension on the veneer slabs 3 upon engagement therebetween.

Said gripping flanges are arranged in pairs 6 6 and 1 -l, separated by intermediate cut-out portions 8 which may extend inwardly of the l5 body portion 5, as shown. The cut-out portions or notches 8 perform the double function of providing individual flexibility for each pair of flanges, and by reason of their width a, form an alinement and mortar gage or indicator for the vertical mortar lines, as hereinafter more fully described. 9 designates a centrally located aperture in the body of the clip for attaching the clip to the wall by means of a nail, screw or the like.

In the practice of my invention, the veneering is commenced at some convenient location on the wall or building, as, for example, at the corner l0 in Fig. 1 and at the bottom ofthe Wall 2 along a base or trim b. A corner or angle veneer slab 3a may be employed by applying a clip A to each 30 end of the slab by means of one pair of flanges of each clip, said flanges resiliently engaging the longitudinal edges of the slab and being flexed outwardly by the insertion of the slab therebetween. 35

The end edges of the slab are registered in alinementfwith one extremity of the cut-away portions 8 of the clips. Nails or screws are driven into the wall 2 through the clip holes 9 provided positioned with regard to the corner Ill and the horizontal veneer course or row of which it is to form a part. l

This initial veneer course or row is continued by successively mounting veneer units formed by applying a clip A, by one pair of its flanges, to an end of a slab 3 as in Figs-1 and 6, and inserting the free end of the slab of `each unit in the exposed pair of anges of the clipV A of the unit applied to the wall immediately prior thereto. The free end of said slab is registered with the remaining extremity of the clip cut-out portion Si of the previously applied unit, whereby 151.19 .ends Of the slabs 3 and 3a. are spaced at a 55 distance a to provide the desired width of the vertical mortar course therebetween.

Additional units are applied in a like manner throughout the course or row until completed, each slab being fitted at one end with a clip A and having its free end inserted in the exposed portion of the preceding clip. Additional rows or courses are applied in parallelism to the initial row by the simple expedient of spacing the same to provide the desired width of the horizontal mortar lines. For example, the standard brick veneer slab is of a thickness corresponding to the usual mortar line, and may be employed by the workman, said slab being inserted edgewise between the attached row of slabs and the slabs being applied. When so spaced, the clips of the unit or units being positioned may be nailed in place. Obviously, other means may be easilyV employed for spacing and alining each successive row from the preceding row.

It is to be noted that a. veneer wall applied by this method may be readily alined and varied by the workman, much in the same manner as the usual brick wall is assembled. The slabs may be disposed in staggered pattern or selectively arranged, as desired, without the necessity of altering the clip or the method of application.

When the slabs have been positioned, mortar or cement may be applied in the spaces therebetween and pointed olf to form uniform mortar lines II. The mortar has an affinity for the ceramic slabs and will assist in retaining the same, and will also have anchorage with the clips A.

In addition to the foregoing practice, I prefer to employ a reinforcing reticulate or open-work sheet I2 superimposed on the surface of the wall 2, entirely covering the same, and secured thereto by means of staples, nails, or the like. An insulating sheet or layer 2a may be interposed between the wall and reticulate sheet I2 if desired.

Upon covering the wall 2 with the insulation 2a and the reticulate sheet I2, the veneer units are applied directly over the sheet I2 and assembled in the manner described. The rear surface of the slab 3 of each unit is preferably supplied with a small quantity or patch of mortar, as shown at I3 in Fig. 6. As each unit is applied to the sheet I2, the mortar I3 will be pressed or forced into interlocking engagement with the spaced strands of the reticulate sheet, thereby assisting the retention of the units.

Attention is called to the fact that by the use of the reticulate sheet I2, I have provided an air space I4 between the veneer units and the wall 2 or insulating layer 2a. The mortar at II and I3 does not completely fill the space I4 in a continuous layer, and hence air is free to circulate in said space to dry the mortar and prevent moisture from penetrating the wall 2.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a veneer wall construction wherein the units are individually secured to the surface being covered, and whereby a proportionate part of the load is assumed by each unit. Hence, the tendency of the completed wall to crack is materially reduced, since the lower units are not overloaded.

Fig. 7 illustrates a modied form of clip A', having pairs of anges (ia-6a and 1li-1a, separated by intermediate notches Ba. The body portion 5a is formed with an opening 8b having a width a for gaging the width of the mortar space between slabs, as before. 9a designates nail or screw-receiving openings.

I have shown a still further modification in Fig. 8, wherein the clip A" has a single pair of re silient continuous flanges 6b and openings 8b in the body portion 5b. Veneer slabs 3 will be applied between opposite end portions of the flanges, as will be readily understood.

Various changes and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an assembled veneer wall structure, a row of veneer slabs spaced apart in end-tc-end relation, individual attaching clips positioned between adjacent slab ends, said clips having flanges for receiving and retaining said slab ends, said flanges being spaced apart longitudinally of the row to provide a gage for determining the space between the slab ends, and means for securing the clips in position.

2. In an assembled veneer wall structure, a row of veneer slabs spaced apart in end-to-end relation, individual attaching clips positioned between adjacent slab ends, said clips having resilient flanges for receiving and frictionally engaging said slab ends, means on the clips for gaging the spaces between adjacent slab ends, and means for securing the clips in position.

3. In an. assembled veneer wall structure, a row of veneer slabs spaced apart in end-to-end relation, individual attaching clips positioned between adjacent slab ends, said clips having flanges for receiving and retaining said slab ends, each clip having one flange partly severed from the next fiange thereof in longitudinal direction so that a gage is provided for determining the position of the slab ends, and means for securing the clips in position.

4. In an assembled veneer wall structure, a row of veneer slabs spaced apart in end-to-end relation, an individual attaching clip positioned at each space between adjoining ends of said slabs, said clip having two pairs of resilient anges separated by an intermediate cut-out portion, each of said pairs of flanges embracing and frictionally gripping the longitudinal edges of an adjoining slab end, said cut-away portion providing a gage for fixing the space between the slab ends.

5. In a veneer wall structure for application to a wall having a surface to be veneered, a preassembled veneer unit comprising a veneer slab having an attaching clip secured to an end thereof to be applied as a unit to said surface, said clip extending beyond the slab end and having resilient flanges for frictionally gripping the free slab end of a similar pre-assembled unit to form an assembled veneer row.

6. In a veneer wall structure, a unit comprising a veneer slab having an attaching clip secured to an end thereof, said clip extending beyond the slab end and having resilient iianges for frictionally gripping the free slab end of a similar u nit to form an assembled veneer row, and means on each unit for gaging the spacing between units.

7. In a veneer wall structure, a unit comprising a veneer slab having an attaching clip secured to an end thereof, said clip extending beyond the slab end and having resilient flanges for frictionally gripping the free slab end of a similar unit to form an assembled veneer row, and means on each clip for gaging the spacing between units.

8. An attaching clip for a pair of veneer slabs including a body portion having a pair of resilient anges extending therefrom, and means for gaging the spacing between said slabs when applied to the clip, as and for the purpose described.

9. An attaching clip for a pair of veneer slabsincluding a body portion having a pair of resilient iianges for frictionally engaging an end of each of said slabs, and means for gaging the spacing between said slab ends when applied to the clip, as and for the purpose described.

10. An attaching clip for a pair of veneer slabs including a body portion having a pair of resilient iianges for frictionally engaging an end of each of said slabs, said pairs of flanges being separated by a cut-away portion for gaging the spacing between said slab ends when ,applied to the clip, as and for the purpose described.

11. The herein described method of assembling and applying a veneer wall with a series of individual veneer slabs, consisting in producing veneer units by frictionally engaging one end of each individual slab with an attaching member and with said attaching member partly projecting beyond one end of the slab suiciently' to hold the adjacent slab in line therewith as a preliminary step in the fastening thereof, iixedly positioning one of said units, and successively applying the units in alinement with the xed unit and with each other, with the free end of each unit entered in the partly projecting portion of attaching member of the preceding unit, and fixing said units in position.

12. In a veneer structure for application to a wall having a surface to be veneered, an attaching veneer slab having an attaching clip at an end 5 t thereof; to be applied to said surface by entering .between the said flanges, as and for the purpose described.

13. A pre-assembled veneer unit comprising a veneer slab having an attaching clip secured to 10 and extending beyond one end only of the slab, for individual application and attachment as a unit to a surface to be veneered.

14. A pre-assembled veneer unit comprising a veneer slab having an attaching clip extending 1I beyond one end of said slab, said clip being prol vided with a pair of resilient flanges, for indi-- vidual application and attachment as a unit to a surface to be veneered one of said flanges being cut awayto provide gage means predetermining It)V the position for a veneer slab to be disposed between said anges.

15. A pre-assembled veneer unit comprising a veneer slab having an attaching clip extending beyond one end of said slab, said clip being proil vided with a pair of anges, for individual application and attachment as a unit to a surface to be veneered one of said.' flanges having gage means predetermining the position for a veneer slab to be disposed between said flanges.

SAM Z. 'IRACHTENBERG. 

